France’s Socialist leader issues ultimatum over 2026 budget

French Socialist Party (PS) first secretary Olivier Faure has issued an ultimatum to French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the government over the 2026 budget, warning that his party could support a censure motion if its concerns are ignored.

Speaking on BFMTV on October 24, Faure said that negotiations with the government were “very far from the target” and that unless substantial changes were made to the draft budget by next Monday, October 27, cooperation with the government would end, Caliber.Az reports.

Faure criticised the lack of parliamentary support for the government’s proposed budget, noting that even the Finance Committee had failed to rally a majority behind the text. He insisted that without significant revisions, particularly new revenue measures, the Socialists would not back the plan.

The PS is demanding the introduction of a “Zucman tax” on extreme wealth, the reinstatement of the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF), or, at minimum, stronger taxation of the richest households. Faure said the Socialists were not seeking to raise taxes indiscriminately but to ensure fiscal justice, arguing that additional revenue was necessary to protect retirees, patients, young people, and families from budget cuts.

PS parliamentary leader Boris Vallaud had already warned government allies that the party would consider supporting censure if the budget failed to deliver on fiscal fairness. 

By Sabina Mammadli